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William Akoto

@willakoto.bsky.social
353 followers 225 following 23 posts

Assistant Professor of Global Security at American University | PhD @UofSC | Cyber conflict, Trade and Military Coups | www.willakoto.com

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Reposted by William Akoto
Katherine Stiles @katherinestiles.org · 07/08/2026
How hackers attack municipal water systems – and why the utilities are so vulnerable — 🖋️ @willakoto.bsky.social ‣ @us.theconversation.com
theconversation.com
How hackers attack municipal water systems – and why the utilities are so vulnerable
A cybersecurity researcher explains how hackers target small computers that control a water system’s tanks, pipes and valves.
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Reposted by William Akoto
ISOC LIVE @isoc.live · 27/08/2026
SUMMARY - Do data localization policies really improve cybersecurity outcomes? isoclive.substack.com/p/data-local... @willakoto.bsky.social, @sbradshaw.bsky.social & Trey Herr find no measurable benefit across 195 countries, 2000-2022, on @eurepoc.bsky.social data. #DataLocalization #cybersecurity
isoclive.substack.com
Do data localization policies really improve cybersecurity outcomes?
An ISOC LIVE Summary
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
📌 - New Paper Out Now - 📌 One of the biggest challenges in cyber policy is surprisingly basic: we still don't know how to measure the true cost of cyber economic espionage. Trey Herr and I have a paper just published in the JCP where we show why existing approaches to measuring costs fall short.
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Reposted by William Akoto
Journal of Global Security Studies @journalofgss.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Why do some states become persistent users of offensive cyber operations while others do not? @willakoto.bsky.social shows that low- and mid-capability states are unlikely to sustain offensive cyber operations, while highly capable states are far more likely to do so. 🔗 doi.org/10.1093/jogs...
On the left is the cover of The Journal of Global Security Studies. Along the bottom, the journal’s homepage (https://academic.oup.com/jogss) and Bluesky handle (@journalofgss.bsky.social) appear in white text on a navy-blue background. The main image depicts a close-up view of system hacking and is overlaid with the article title and author’s name: “Cyber Conflict as Statecraft: Explaining the Persistence of State-Sponsored Cyber Operations,” by William Akoto.
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Reposted by William Akoto
American University School of International Service @ausis.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Professor @willakoto.bsky.social examines the recent cyberattack on Stryker Corp. by an Iran-linked group and how cyber operations are often used during periods of geopolitical tension to inflict damage in this piece originally published in @us.theconversation.com Read more: bit.ly/47Cxc9E
bit.ly
How Iranian Hackers Pose a Threat to US Critical Infrastructure
Professor William Akoto discusses the recent cyberattack on Stryker Corp. by an Iran-linked group and examines how cyber operations are often used during periods of geopolitical tension to inflict dam...
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 30/03/2026
📌 - New Paper Out Now - 📌 Why do only a handful of states run sustained cyber campaigns while most hack only occasionally? My newest article, just published in the Journal of Global Security Studies, addresses this puzzle. @ausis.bsky.social @sisresearch.bsky.social @csint-au.bsky.social
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Disinformation isn’t just about spreading false claims - it’s also about fighting back when exposed. My new paper shows how state-backed cyber proxies adapt in real time to counter election-interference claims. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/WU8XV...
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
States aren’t just hacking. They're running intelligence-led campaigns designed to impose cumulative strategic costs. I have a new paper in Journal of Strategic Studies on what this means for cyber doctrine, resilience, and escalation management.
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Reposted by William Akoto
American University School of International Service @ausis.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Under a new framework deal between the US and China, a consortium of US investors is slated to oversee US operations of TikTok starting this year. In this new Q&A, SIS professor @willakoto.bsky.social breaks down what this will mean for TikTok users in the US. bit.ly/3YDP1Qz
bit.ly
New Year, New TikTok?
SIS professor and Director of Research at the Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology William Akoto discusses the future of TikTok operations in the United States.
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Why do some cyber campaigns reshape power while others fizzle out? My new JSS article shows how intelligence practices, not just hacking, drive strategic competition in cyberspace — and why classic deterrence keeps failing. www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AZFSI...
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
🥳New paper to kick-off the semester! I introduce an “Intelligence-Driven Strategic Competition” framework to explain when cyber espionage becomes real strategic competition. If you work on cyber conflict, coercion or state power, this may be of interest: www.tandfonline.com/eprint/AZFSI...
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Reposted by William Akoto
American University School of International Service @ausis.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
SIS professor William Akoto (@willakoto.bsky.social) spoke with @cbsnews.com about the new arrangement with TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, and the US version of TikTok. cbsn.ws/423iyWa.
cbsnews.com
TikTok's fate in the U.S. could hinge on who controls its algorithm
TikTok's algorithm is the "secret sauce" behind the app's success, experts say. U.S.-China talks over the app's ownership must resolve who controls the technology.
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Reposted by William Akoto
American University School of International Service @ausis.bsky.social · 02/09/2025
In this new episode of Big World, SIS professor @willakoto.bsky.social discusses how governments around the world are using AI and considers both the dangers and opportunities associated with this emerging tech. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. #AcademicSky bit.ly/4p4htqO
bit.ly
Episode 85: How are Governments Using AI?
In this episode, School of International Service (SIS) professor William Akoto joins Big World to discuss the intersections of artificial intelligence and international affairs.
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 22/08/2025
Sold Out!!
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
It will be a fun evening! Join us!😊
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
We're hiring!! My department has a fantastic group of renowned scholars and practitioners...we'd love to have you join us! american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/AU/job/Main-...
american.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com
Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) - Department of Foreign Policy & Global Security
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meani...
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Reposted by William Akoto
Rav @rvbdrm.com · 19/07/2025
The Phillies did the kiss cam thing to Coldplay
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
In my latest op-ed for The Conversation, I argue that supply-chain decoupling won't stop cyber economic espionage. It might even make it worse. theconversation.com/blocking-exp...
theconversation.com
Blocking exports and raising tariffs is a bad defense against industrial cyber espionage, study shows
Supply-chain decoupling doesn’t stop rival nations from hacking each other and can make it worse. A cyber-espionage expert explains what does work.
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
Huge loss for the cyber conflict studies community. He was an absolute trailblazer and great mentor to me and many others! Condolensces to his family and loved ones!🙏🏾
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
In my latest paper at Business & Politics, I explore the often overlooked ripple effects of state-sponsored cyber attacks on the stock market dynamics of cybersecurity defense contractors. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
cambridge.org
State-sponsored cyber attacks and co-movements in stock market returns: evidence from US cybersecurity defense contractors | Business and Politics | Cambridge Core
State-sponsored cyber attacks and co-movements in stock market returns: evidence from US cybersecurity defense contractors
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 25/10/2024
My latest paper was just published at Business & Politics! I explore the often overlooked ripple effects of state-sponsored cyber attacks on the stock market dynamics of cybersecurity defense contractors. Grateful to colleagues and reviewers for comments! www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 04/06/2024
In my latest piece for the Irregular Warfare Initiative, I examine why states are increasingly turning to economic espionage and hoe cyber proxies play a key role. irregularwarfare.org/articles/sec...
irregularwarfare.org
Secret Cyber Wars: Why States Are Increasingly Turning to Economic Espionage and How Cyber Proxies Play a Key Role - Irregular Warfare Initiative
States turn to economic espionage using cyber proxies for strategic advantages. Here’s Why.
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 06/02/2024
My latest article just published at JPR!🥳🎉 I examine the puzzle of why cyber economic espionage is largely restricted to a small set of advanced economies. Part of a special issue edited by Daphna Canetti and Ryan Shandler. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 18/12/2023
Excited to share that I’ll be joining @AU_SIS as an Assistant Professor in January 2024. I’ll miss my brilliant students, great colleagues and friends at Fordham but beyond thrilled to be part of the fantastic SIS community!!😊
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William Akoto @willakoto.bsky.social · 20/11/2023
Forthcoming at JPR!🥳 I examine the puzzle of why cyber economic espionage is largely restricted to a small set of advanced economies. Hint: the complexity of their product profiles has a lot to do with it😁
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